toolonglegs wrote:You would fit on my cannondale no prob...it is a 63 and is the first bike I have owned that I had to put a shorter stem on.On your current bike what is your measurement from center of bottom bracket to top of seat...and front of seat to middle of the bars on the tops?.I can measure mine and give you an idea on the sizing of a 63cm.I dont think an XL compact would be of any use as you would have to have a stupid long seat post which even if it was a 35mm would flex like crazy.How much do you weigh?.Problem is you would probably better of with 180mm cranks as well.I am longer in the legs than in my reach so also struggle with bike fits.I need a long seat tube and shorter top tube.

my current bike is a $400 Giant MTB that I've been belting around on for years, so I figured it's time to treat myself (Now find a way of convincing wife). I've been riding an old steel framed Repco something-or-other with 105 drivetrain that a guy I work with loaned me. It's a 60cm frame. I weigh around 110kg, having dropped 5kg in the last month or so, now that the weather's improving and I'm out on the old Repco.

Actually, the Repco is an ideal machine on which to learn mechanics. None of it is so complicated you can't work it out using 'what happens if I do this', and everything you learn is the basis for the more complicated modern systems.

The really nice thing about pushbikes is that it's very hard to stuff things up terminally. You have to try really hard to break something and most stuffups are no more than a mis-adjustment ie, easy and cheap to fix.

I do think the modern bikes are overly complicated, though not to the point of driving the tinkerer away, but bikes like the old Repco are simple enough to provide a handy grounding in mechanics by 'feel'.

Whatever, unless you decide to take a hacksaw to your frame, there is little you can do which a mechanic can't undo

Do a search on cell bikes Brods. They've been discussed in quite a few threads and if all their models haven't been discussed I'd be surprised. The general consensus is that they're good value for the price and most owners are happy with the machines.

don't stress, I'm definitely leaning towards a custom frame. I'm already dreaming up paint colours / schemes and all the bits & pieces. I'll have to start a 'help me find the good bits for the best price' thread.

MountGower wrote:Ride the Repco for a while Brods and get a good idea of what you want in a top tube and seat tube measurement. Tell old mate his steel bike is heavy and sling him some change. He'll think he's won lotto and you'll have the bike you need for a month or two. Something to ride in the rain, chain up at the shop, spare bike etc when the Cecil Walker or Llewellen arrives

I'll second not rushing into anything. I recently went out and bought a new bike, when I could of picked up something like your mate's Repco for a lot less. Turns out, I think I really wanted something different. I know that now.

If the Repco frame is reasonable, I reckon keep it, and update the other stuff (gears etc) as needed.

You say it aint that pretty to look at - doesn't matter if you can get it riding and gliding along well (which some tuning, lube, newer parts here and there will do). Actually it's a bonus as it's less likely to get flogged.

Have you ever come out to find your nice shiney new bike was not where you locked it? I have, and it was a darn good lock too.

Brods1675 wrote:don't stress, I'm definitely leaning towards a custom frame. I'm already dreaming up paint colours / schemes and all the bits & pieces. I'll have to start a 'help me find the good bits for the best price' thread.

How about this for a not-so-original paint scheme....chrome the entire frame first of all, then mask off the lugs and rear stays. And paint the tubes in pearlescent white over the chrome. Outline the lugs with a paint texta or air brush in the colour of your choice. A la Colnago...

The Cell bikes are relatively good value; average frame, average wheels, but good groupset for the cost. You should consider factoring in changing pedals/seatpost/saddles +/- wheels depending on the type of cycling you want to do.

I personally own two different models of Cell bikes (the "SS101" hybrid for commuting and the "Team" road bike for recreational riding) and they are both good decent bikes. Of course, I live quite close to their store so I could easily test ride their bikes and take them in for servicing.

Given your height, however, I would really recommend a test ride first.

An indication of how far Trek have lost the plot with touring bikes is their decision to paint this year's model BLACK! Sheesh, if anyone is going to spend weeks wandering around on a dirty bike, it's a tourer

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